The Bermuda Triathlon Association will hold its fifth annual Neill/Blake Triathlon Camp for both experienced and beginner triathletes from January 30 to February 7.

Triathlon is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and in line with that trend Bermuda has continued to see more and more adults and juniors taking up the sport. To provide for the growing interest, the BTA has, for the past four years, put on a preseason triathlon camp.

Coaches Mike Neill and Jasper Blake, both recently retired professional triathletes, come to Bermuda to run the camp each year.

This year they will be joined by professional triathlete and qualified triathlon coach Christine Fletcher.

Dave Morrison is the camp organiser and was quick to point out that this camp is not just for super fit athletes. “Most of our beginners each year know virtually nothing about the sport and many of them are pretty unfit and are looking for a way to kick start a fitness regime,” Morrison said.

“So long as you can run across the road, stay afloat and have any sort of bike in working order then this camp is for you.”

Morrison noted that for the beginners, the attraction of the camp is that they can go at their own pace, even in the sessions with the more experienced triathletes who are always keen to help out the newcomers. With the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, triathlon provides variety for those who participate. The training sessions are scheduled for the early evening and weekends, not requiring participants to take time off work.

“The most satisfying aspects of the camp is seeing how quickly the participants bond together and how quickly the beginners gain in confidence,” Morrison said.

Details on the camp, including the schedule and entry forms, can be found at www.bta.bm